Much of what was central to Tolstoy seems embarrassing to Western and Soviet critics, points out Richard Gustafson in his absorbing argument for the predominance of Tolstoy's religious viewpoint in all his writings. Received opinion says that there are two Tolstoys, the pre-conversion artist and the post-conversion religious thinker and prophet, bu
Reviews
"Richard Gustafson has written what will undoubtedly prove to be one of the major studies of Tolstoy produced in his generation ... an especially thoughtful book, full of ideas, insights, and perceptions that are very much Gustafson's own."--Hugh McLean, The Russian Review